Allows you to explore the Islamic period (8th-1st half of the 8th centuries) and may include a visit to the Mother Church of Mértola, Alcáçova and Islamic House, Castle and Islamic Art centre;
Theme-based routes
other places of interest
MÉRTOLA MUSEUM
The Mértola Museum is polynuclear; i.e., it has 14 units accommodated in various buildings in Mértola, Mosteiro, Alcaria dos Javazes and Mina de S. Domingos.
The fact that the collection is not displayed in a single place, together with its theme-based diversity, offers many possibilities to visit and organize routes.
Here are some routes you can discover on your own:
Islamic art
Roman and Late Antiquity
This route allows you to deepen your knowledge of themes related to the Roman period and late antiquity (1st to 8th centuries) and may include a visit to the Mother Church of Mértola, Alcáçova, Castle, Roman House, Paleochristian Basilica and Ermida and Necropolis S. Sebastião
Historic center
The Historic Center of Mértola is an important architectural complex, installed on a rocky spur between the Guadiana River and the Ribeira de Oeiras. Its historical importance is related to its natural defensive characteristics and the relationship it maintained with the river, mainly as a means of transporting products and the movement of people. The route can be done only through the streets, understanding the organization and dynamics of the space, or it can include a visit to some of the museums of the Museum of Mértola that help to understand space and time. You can therefore visit the Weaving Workshop, the Casa de Mértola, the Mother Church of Mértola, the Alcáçova and Casa Islâmica, the Castle, the Forja do Ferreiro, the Islamic and Sacred Art centers, the Roman House and the Paleochristian Basilica ;
Archeology in Mértola
Archeology being one of the main themes of the Museum of Mértola, this route can include important points such as the visit to the Mother Church of Mértola, the Alcáçova, the Baptistery of Encosta do Castelo, the Castle, with an emphasis on the Keep, the Roman House, the Paleochristian Basilica and the S. Sebastião Chapel and Necropolis;
Traditional Crafts and Their Background
People are the main characters in the history of a location. Most of these local characters are respected by the community and are often linked to important occupations for people's daily lives and also to maintain the memory of the place and the collective identity. Getting to know the inhabitants of Mértola through the ages is what can be done by visiting, for example, the Weaving Workshop, the Islamic House, the Forja do Ferreiro, the Islamic Art Center and the Roman House;
Outside Mértola
Mosteiro
The municipality of Mértola has a lot to offer, both in terms of culture and heritage but also in terms of landscape and biodiversity. On an interesting outdoor route you can visit the Monastery, Pulo do Lobo, the canals, the windmill at Corte Gafo de Cima and enjoy along the route a landscape that differs from season to season and from day to day.
Alcaria dos Javazes Museum Nucleus
This ethnographic nucleus is located in Alcaria dos Javazes and is the result of a partnership between the City Council and a private collector. When visiting this place, you can contact the collector, who welcomes you and explains your collection, and understand the importance of preserving heritage for the construction of a collective memory. This route can be complemented with a visit to the mill and museum center of S. Miguel do Pinheiro.
Mining Complex of S. Domingos and Pomarão Mine
Mina de S. Domingos is an old mining town that maintains a characteristic urban organization and interesting industrial ruins from the period of exploration (late 19th to mid 20th century). The route to be defined may include a visit to the Casa do Mineiro, the mining complex of Mina de S. Domingos and Pomarão.
For other walking routes and tourist entertainment activities, see www.visitmertola.pt
If you want a guided tour you can schedule it through institutional contacts and select one of the routes:
Historic Center of Mértola
The Historic Center is representative of the experience of man over time, of the transformations that operated in the landscape and his relationship with it. This route aims to make the Vila de Mértola known, highlighting its specificities related to the historical/archaeological heritage, architecture, spatial organization and natural surroundings.
Recipients: over 12 years old | Duration: 2:30 hours
Roman Period and Late Antiquity
Mértola has been inhabited since time immemorial by different peoples who have left marks of their passage. In Vila de Mértola there are traces from the 1st to the 8th century AD that allow us to understand the importance of the city in this period. This route includes a visit to the Alcáçova, Castle, Torre do Rio, Roman House and Paleochristian Basilica museums.
Recipients: All age groups | Duration: 2:30 hours
Islamic Period I
There is strong evidence of Islamic occupation in Mértola, visible in the objects exhibited in the Museum's cores but also in the architecture, urban layout, language, customs and traditions. This route includes a visit to the Igreja Matriz (former mosque), Alcazaba and Islamic Art, where activities will be carried out with the educational bag “O Baú de Aladino” which, through playful-pedagogical materials, explores the Islamic occupation in Mértola and the Iberian Peninsula .
Recipients: 1st and 2nd cycle students aged between 6 and 12 years. | Duration: 2 hours
Islamic Period II
The influences of the Islamic occupation are visible and still persist in some activities such as traditional weaving and the visit to the Weaving Workshop, included in this route, is one of the most important points. The route includes other representative places of this occupation, such as the Igreja Matriz (former mosque), the Alcáçova, the castle and the museum center of Islamic Art, where various representative materials from this period can be found.
Recipients: All age groups | Duration: 2:30 hours
Museum of Mértola
Includes a visit to all the museum's centers located in the village of Mértola: Paleochristian Basilica, Roman House, Forge do Ferreiro, Weaving Workshop, Mértola's House, Mother Church, Alcáçova and Islamic House, Castle, Sacred Art and Islamic Art.
Recipients: Over 12 years old | Duration: 4 hours
Mining Complex of Mina de S. Domingos
The mining complex of Mina de S. Domingos is an important testimony of the mining industry of the late 19th century, 1st half of the 20th century where, despite the desolation of the landscape, it is still possible to see the urban organization, the location of the connected equipment. to the Mine and the important traces of the mining industry. To make known the potential of this location, the Serrão Martins Foundation has available two types of visits that include the Casa do Mineiros museum and the Mina de S. Domingos and Pomarão mining complex.
More information at www.fundacaoserraomartins.pt